Anderson was released by Lancashire last month after a 25-year association with his home county, with the club’s incoming director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, saying the club needed a “rebuild” after finishing seventh in Division Two, the worst placing in their Championship history.
Anderson considered retirement in the wake of the snub, but – having taken 50 wickets last season to be named as Lancashire’s Championship player of the year – he has chosen a move to The Oval. There, he will link up with Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, alongside whom he made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2003.
“It’s an honour to join a club like Surrey and I can’t wait to start a new chapter in my career,” Anderson said. “Surrey have a great squad and are a team that expects to be fighting for Championship titles and I’m excited to be a part of that.”
“It was a great phone call to get,” he added. “I’ve known Stewie a long time and always got on well with him. So for him to show an interest and want me to come here was great. I felt really proud that that was the case. And after a few weeks of talking to him and mulling it over, I’m just really excited that I’ve got the opportunity to come here.”
“I still feel like I have a lot to offer, taking wickets, trying to help the team win games of cricket,” he said. “I also think that I can bring a lot to the team off the field and help those young players who are looking to develop their skillset and go on and represent their country.”
On his ambitions for 2027, Anderson said that “winning trophies” was his prime motivation, but he was also looking forward to the chance to play Division One cricket again, after Lancashire’s struggles in recent campaigns.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to try and win the Championship, being the first division,” he said. “I’ve got to show that I’ve still got the quality and the ability to try and break into this team or help out where I can, [but] that’s just something that I’m absolutely relishing next season.”
“I’ve always loved playing at the Kia Oval,” Anderson added. “For me it’s one of the best grounds in the world. It’s a place that I have some incredibly special memories at and I hope to create some more next season.”
Stewart added: “We’re delighted to bring someone of the calibre of Sir James Anderson to Surrey. Jimmy brings quality with the ball. His 50 championship wickets last season prove that he is still one of the best bowlers in the country.
“Jimmy also brings a wealth of experience to the group that all our bowlers will learn from. Much of our squad have international aspirations, and they will learn a great deal from training, playing and being in the same dressing room with Jimmy.
“I’m looking forward to welcoming him to the group and watching him perform in front of our members and supporters at the Kia Oval.”
